Weird 'faceless' fish found in dark cold depths of Australia's abyss

The fish was found during an expedition led by Museums Victoria.

A "faceless fish" and other weird sea creatures have been discovered by scientists during an expedition to Australia's eastern abyss – a habitat 4,000 metres below the ocean which has remained unexplored until now.

The fish is 40 centimetres long and had only been seen once before by the pioneering scientific crew of HMS Challenger off Papua New Guinea in 1873.

The scientists hope that by then, they will have succeeded in documenting many new species and in improving their understanding of the creatures that populate the darkest, deepest corners of Australian sea. They also want to find out more about the ecological processes that sustain these strange species.

"This will assist in the conservation and management of Australia's deep sea habitat and will help to protect it from the impacts of climate change, pollution and other human activity," O'Hara said.

The mission has already documented many new, strange creatures.Rob Zugaro